How to Fix PS5 No Sound
If you’re trying to figure out how to fix PS5 no sound, the cause is usually in the audio output path rather than the console itself.
The good news is that most PlayStation 5 audio problems can be solved with a few targeted checks on the TV, HDMI connection, system settings, or connected headset.
PS5 audio can disappear after a software update, a display change, a controller pairing issue, or a simple wrong input selection.
The steps below focus on the most common causes and the fastest ways to restore sound.
Check the obvious audio sources first
Before changing system settings, confirm where the sound should be coming from.
The PS5 can send audio to a television, soundbar, AV receiver, USB headset, wireless headset, DualSense controller, or HDMI audio extractor.
If one device is muted or switched to the wrong mode, the console may still be working normally.
- Make sure the TV or monitor volume is not muted.
- Confirm the correct HDMI input is selected.
- Check that any soundbar or receiver is powered on and set to the right source.
- Disconnect any unused headsets or adapters to avoid routing audio to the wrong output.
Restart the PS5 and the display chain
A full restart often clears temporary audio glitches in the PlayStation 5, especially after rest mode or a recent device connection change.
Restart the console, then restart the TV, monitor, soundbar, or receiver.
- Turn off the PS5 completely, not just Rest Mode.
- Power off the TV or audio equipment.
- Unplug both devices from power for 30 seconds.
- Reconnect everything and power the TV on first, then the PS5.
If audio returns after a reboot, the problem was likely a handshake issue between the console and the display device.
Verify the PS5 audio output settings
The most reliable way to fix PS5 no sound is to check the console’s audio routing options.
The PS5 can be configured to output sound through HDMI, a USB device, or a headset connected to the controller.
Set the correct output device
Go to Settings > Sound > Audio Output.
Confirm that the Output Device matches the device you want to use.
For TV or monitor sound, the output should usually stay on HDMI.
Check HDMI audio format settings
In the same menu, review the Audio Format (Priority) setting.
If you are using a basic TV speaker setup, switching to Linear PCM is often the most compatible choice.
If you use a sound system that supports Dolby or DTS, test other available formats as needed.
Review output to headphones
If you have a headset plugged into the DualSense controller, the PS5 may be sending all audio there.
Open Settings > Sound > Audio Output and check the Output to Headphones option.
Set it to All Audio if you want everything routed to the headset, or Chat Audio if you only want voice chat there.
Inspect the HDMI cable and ports
HDMI problems are among the most common reasons a PS5 has no sound.
Because the console sends audio and video over the same cable, a loose connection, damaged cable, or bad port can affect both.
- Remove and firmly reseat the HDMI cable at both ends.
- Try a different HDMI port on the TV or monitor.
- Test another certified HDMI cable if available.
- Avoid adapters unless they are specifically designed for PS5 audio and video support.
If your picture is fine but the sound is missing, the cable may still be at fault.
Some damaged HDMI lines fail intermittently, especially when the cable is bent or under strain.
Check TV and soundbar audio settings
Modern TVs often have settings that interfere with external console audio.
If you use ARC or eARC with a soundbar, the TV must be configured correctly for the PS5 to pass sound through the system.
Look for these settings in the TV menu:
- Audio output set to external speakers, soundbar, or HDMI ARC/eARC.
- TV speakers disabled only if another audio device is active.
- Digital audio output set to PCM, Auto, or Bitstream based on your sound system.
- Any “mute when headphones connected” option turned off if applicable.
Some TVs also need the HDMI port’s enhanced mode enabled for proper audio passthrough.
If the TV supports it, try both standard and enhanced HDMI modes to see which one restores sound.
Test with a headset or controller audio
If you suspect the TV path is the issue, test another output path.
Plug a wired headset into the DualSense controller or connect a USB headset directly to the PS5.
If sound works through the headset, the console is outputting audio correctly and the issue is likely in the TV, HDMI, or receiver chain.
When using the controller jack, gently twist the plug and check whether audio cuts in and out.
A loose headphone connection can silence output or make it sound distorted.
Update the PS5 system software
Audio bugs can appear after firmware changes or persist until the system software is updated.
Sony frequently includes stability fixes in PlayStation 5 updates, including HDMI, controller, and device compatibility improvements.
To check for updates, go to Settings > System > System Software > System Software Update and Settings.
If an update is available, install it and restart the console afterward.
Rebuild the database if audio problems persist
If basic settings and cable checks do not work, the PS5 may benefit from a database rebuild.
This can help if system files or cached data are causing unusual behavior.
To rebuild the database:
- Turn off the PS5.
- Press and hold the power button until you hear a second beep to enter Safe Mode.
- Connect a controller with a USB cable.
- Select Rebuild Database.
This process does not usually erase game data, but it may take time depending on how much content is installed.
Test for audio in Safe Mode or with a different user profile
If the issue seems tied to one user profile or recent settings change, test the console under different conditions.
Safe Mode and alternative accounts can reveal whether the problem is system-wide or profile-specific.
- Try another user on the same PS5.
- Check whether sound works in the PS5 menu, game menus, or video apps.
- Compare audio from a game, a streaming app, and the home screen.
If audio works in one app but not another, the issue may be tied to that title’s in-game settings rather than the console itself.
Look for in-game audio and chat settings
Some games can mute music, dialogue, or effects independently of system audio.
Voice chat settings can also redirect or silence sound if the game or party chat is configured incorrectly.
- Open the game’s audio menu and confirm master volume is enabled.
- Check whether subtitles or accessibility options are linked to audio changes.
- Review party chat and microphone settings in the PlayStation quick menu.
- Make sure the wrong output device is not selected inside the game.
Competitive titles and streaming apps often have separate audio controls that override system preferences.
Reset PS5 audio settings if needed
If you’ve changed multiple sound options and want a clean baseline, reset the relevant audio settings manually.
The PS5 does not always offer a single audio reset button, so you may need to return key options to default values.
Focus on these settings first:
- Output Device: HDMI Device.
- Output to Headphones: All Audio or Chat Audio, based on your setup.
- Audio Format (Priority): Linear PCM for most TVs.
- Volume controls for headphones, controller, and TV speakers.
Restoring the most compatible defaults often resolves quiet, missing, or redirected sound.
When to suspect a hardware problem
If your PS5 still has no sound after trying different cables, displays, headsets, and settings, the issue may be hardware-related.
Possible problems include a failed HDMI port, damaged controller jack, faulty soundbar input, or a TV audio board issue.
Signs of a hardware problem include:
- No sound on any display or headset.
- Intermittent audio when the cable is moved.
- Audio failure after visible port damage.
- Sound working on other devices but never on the PS5.
At that point, test the console on a different TV or monitor, and if the issue follows the PS5, contact PlayStation Support or a qualified repair service.
Fastest troubleshooting order to remember
- Check TV or headset volume and mute status.
- Restart the PS5 and connected display devices.
- Verify Audio Output and HDMI format settings.
- Reseat or replace the HDMI cable.
- Test another output such as a wired headset.
- Update system software and rebuild the database if needed.
Following this sequence usually isolates the cause quickly and helps restore PS5 sound without unnecessary resets or advanced repair.